Monday, June 16, 2025

			
				                                Jennifer Graham, 6, demonstrates her determination to make her goat, Ballerina, behave during the annual Wayne County Junior Livestock Show held Thursday, April, 24, at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Dudley. Jennifer is the daughter of Justin Graham of Mount Olive. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Wayne County Junior Livestock Show continues decades of education, fun and family tradition.

DUDLEY — Show business can be tough even for a pig — just ask Baconator.


			
				                                Troy and Sara Curry, from the Winston-Salem area, break out their dance moves while listening to The Amazing Lounge Lizards perform on the Main Stage in the Southern Bank Parklet. In addition to the Main Stage, the Pickle Festival had three other stages where folks could enjoy entertainment throughout the day: the Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Praise Stage, the Hope Extended Stage, and the Mount Olive Tribune Dancers Stage. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Attendees and vendors enjoy another successful Pickle Festival

Sara and Troy Curry weren’t shy about showing off their dance moves, as they were seemingly in their own little world, grooving to music by The Amazing Lounge Lizards during the Pickle Festival Saturday afternoon. Noting that they live in the Winston-Salem area, Sara said, “We drove three hours to get here, and we’re making the most of it.”


			
				                                Mount Olive’s newest mural was unveiled during a brief Tuesday afternoon ceremony. Left to right are, Judson Pope, Pope Transport; Al and Deborah Southerland, Men of FIC, Rotary; Pam Brewer, building owner; Dave Sauls, Southern Bank; Lauren Saegar, Steele Memorial Library; Steve Wiggins, Mount Olive Community Development Corp. president; artist Winford Galmon; Jennifer Ricks Merritt, University of Mount Olive; Julie Beck, Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce president; Anna Hinson, Arts Council of Wayne County executive director; Bill Bryan, Mt. Olive Pickle Co.; Barbara Kornegay, Development Corp.; Ed Olive, UMO Agribusiness Center; Lynn Williams, N.C. Pickle Festival co-chair; and Mayor Jerome Newton. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Mount Olive unveils its new UMO Trojan mural just in time for this Saturday’s...

Stand in just the right spot next to the larger-than-life University of Mount Olive Trojan featured on the town’s third and newest mural and he is looking right at you.


			
				                                Patricia McCoy Hill cuts the ribbon Tuesday morning during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new downtown location for her Hilltop Insurance Services and N.C. Realty. Behind Hill is her husband Maurice. Others include Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce officials Edward Olive, chairman, front row, left; Melissa Kilpatrick, immediate past chairman, front row second, from left; Julie Beck, president, front row, third from left; and far right, Leora “Sam” Jones, Chamber ambassador; and Pernell Brickley, second from right, board member. Hill purchased and rennovated the strip shopping area at 212 N. Center St.(Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Ribbon cutting held for Hilltop Insurance Services and N.C. Realty at its new downtown...

For Patricia McCoy Hill of Dudley buying and renovating a strip shopping area and then relocating her businesses there was a step of faith.


			
				                                Mount Olive town commissioners met in closed session for about an hour on Friday, April 4, to discuss the search for a new town manager. Mayor Pro-tem Barbara Kornegay, who presided over the session, called it a productive session, but could not comment since it involved personnel. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Town board meets in closed session to dicuss town manager search

The Mount Olive Town Board met behind closed doors for about an hour on Friday, April 4, to begin its discussions about the search for a new town manager.


			
				                                Kim Kornegay selects her rake while her daughter, Kim, considers her choice. The Kornegays were among the 20 or so volunteers who turned out Saturday morning at Westbrook Park for a Community Clean-Up Day at the park. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Volunteers clean up Westbrook Park so others can safely play

Kim Kornegay stood before the row of rakes and shovels, scanning back and forth before bending down to grab her choice.


			
				                                An estimated 2,000 FFA students from across North Carolina, and some from South Carolina, along with their advisors and ag teachers, attended the University of Mount Olive’s 10th annual AgFest Thursday on the UMO campus. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

AgFest educates, entertains FFA students while planting the seed for potential new students

It is not unusual to see someone fry pickles — that is unless they are using a high-voltage transmission line.


			
				                                Patricia Warren, right, instructs dancers during a Dance For Christ rehearsal. Beside her is daughter Tara Lancaster. Together, the women produce, direct, and choreograph the Christian dance ministry, which has upcoming shows at the Paramount Theatre April 4-6 and April 11-13. For more information, go to goldsboroparamount.com or call 919-583-8432. (Lindsay Crawford|Courtesy photo)

Dance ministry to ‘plants seeds’ of the Gospel during annual show at the Paramount

GOLDSBORO — It’s a courtroom scene unlike any other you’ve probably seen in movies or on TV. In this enactment, three souls are on trial, with Satan as the prosecutor, Jesus as the defense attorney, and God as the judge.


			
				                                N.C. Pickle Festival Co-chair Julie Beck presents the N.C. Association of Festivals and Events Best Merchandise Award to Ryan Roberts, owner of R&R Brewing, for his canned pickle soda. The soda also won the Southeast Festivals and Events Best Merchandise Award. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Award-winning pickle soda provides taste of N.C. Pickle Festival

Anyone thirsty for a taste of the N.C. Pickle Festival, as well as owning a unique collectible, are in luck — a locally produced pickle soda will be available again for this year’s 39th annual festival.


			
				                                At the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Celebration on March 29, the Flag Line of Honor will line the walkway leading into the Wayne County Museum. The public is invited to this free event, to be held at the museum, located at 116 N. William Street. (Larry Edmonds|Courtesy photo)

Vietnam veterans to be honored at celebration; public invited

GOLDSBORO — Thank you! and Welcome home! Those are the messages that will be conveyed to veterans of the Vietnam War during a celebration to be held Saturday, March 29, beginning at 11 a.m., on the second floor of the Wayne County Museum. The public is invited to attend this free event.